image
Figure 1–1. Stereoisomers of the glyceraldehyde and alanine. In both cases D- and L-isomers represent mirror images of one another.
It was L. Pasteur who first paid attention to this finding. Assuming
optical activity of living matter a criterion he defined it as “the sole
demarcation line (la seule ligne de demarcation) which can be drawn
between the chemistry of living and non-living matter”. Pasteur has made
considerable efforts for the clarification of this problem considering
molecular asymmetry a discovery of his showing the true path towards
revealing “the secrets of life”. His grandson Vallery-Radot remembers him
pondering over “why only D-tartaric acid is capable of fermentation” and he